Novel games, and methods for improved game play in games of chance and games of skill

ABSTRACT

A device for characterizing a cell or particle includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet, the channel containing a moving fluid therein for carrying the cell or particle from the inlet to the outlet. The device includes a detector for detecting the presence of a cell or particle along portion of the channel, the detector including a first detecting position, a second detecting position, and a third detecting position. The device further includes a light source providing an optical gradient disposed within the channel and between the second and third detecting positions. A control system is coupled to the detector to receive and process detected signals from the detector. During operation, the amount of time that a cell or particle takes to flow through a first distance (i.e., its time-off-flight) is measured. The cell or particle is then flowed past a second, downstream distance in the presence of an optical gradient and its time-of-flight is measured. A comparison of the measured time-of-flights for the first and second distances is used to characterize the cell or particle. The method can be used to characterize and sort cells based on a biological property.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/585,987, filed Jun. 2, 2000, entitled “Novel Games, And Methods forImproved Game Play in Games of Chance and Games of Skill”, now allowed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] These inventions relate to methods, an apparatus for theirimplementation, of unique player participation games, and for improvedmethods of play for games of skill and games of chance. Moreparticularly, these inventions relate to new and improved gamesinvolving player participation in a broadcast medium, such astelevision, and in other communication medium, such as over the internetor other communications network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Play or participation games fall broadly under the categories ofgames of chance and games of skill. One of the main forms of games ofchance are lotteries trained by definition, a lottery involves the threeelements of: 1) prize, 2) chance and 3) consideration. If these threeelements are present, then the game is considered to be a lottery, andis typically then run by a governmental entity. In the United States,lotteries are typically run by the individual states, or collectively bya group of states. In other countries, it is typically the nationalgovernment which runs the lottery. Countries and states attempt tostrictly limit the game play to their geographic boundaries. Forexample, in Austria, while electronic access to the game may beavailable over the internet, or in order to play, the person must have abank account in Austria, and be able to navigate the non-english menu.

[0004] Games have been conducted in any of a number of formats.Certainly, live, in person games have been performed. Yet other gameshave been played and broadcast over a broadcast medium, such as radio ortelevision. Yet other games have been played through more better activecommunication medium, such as the telephone, or over a communicationnetwork such as the internet.

[0005] Various attempts have been made to provide game play over theinternet. By way of example, the game show Jeopardy has been placed onthe web at http://www.sony.com. [00061 Various other attempts have beenmade to extend the general concept of gambling to broad communicationmedia, such as the internet. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,268entitled, “Method of Participating in a Live Casino Game from a RemoteLocation” has been asserted in a litigation in against an off shorecorporation. The '268 patent discloses a system in which a player mayparticipate in a live casino game from a location remote from thecasino. A player interface station, such as a computer terminal or otherspecial input device, is connected by a communication line to thecasino. A second communication line is established from the casino tothe players financial institution. The player is presented with an imageof an actual “live” game. The player then participates directly as ifthey were physically present at the casino. A wager is cleared with theplayers financial institution to insure adequate resources to cover thebet.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,739 to Ronald A. Katz is entitled,“Telephonic-Interface Statistical Analysis System”. The patent describesvarious operating formats, including a format the to be performed inassociation with television media. Specifically, in one embodiment, areal-time format is provided in which television viewers participate ona real-time basis in a game show for prizes. Expanded audienceparticipation is achieved. Various levels of qualification are provided,such as for a child's television game format is utilized, parentalclearance may be required. The use of personal identification numbers(pin numbers) is disclosed. In one implementation, the caller isprompted to identify which of the actual studio of audience participantsthe caller will be aligned with. Additionally, the caller may beinstructed to indicate the extent of a wager. As the game progresses,the individual players accounts are credited or debited, therebyproviding on-going accounting data. In yet another implementation, a nonreal-time operation is provided. Such a show might involve a quiz forcallers based on their ability to perceive and remember occurrenceswithin the show. Pre-registration is optionally utilized. In thisimplementation, a sequence or time clock would be utilized in order tolimit or control individual interfaces to a specific time or geographic“window”. In this way, the caller questions may be utilized acrossvarious time zones without the caller having obtained the questionearlier than other callers within a given time zone.

[0007] Berman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,115 discloses a game show and methodentitled “Interactive Game Show and Method for Achieving InteractiveCommunication Therewith”. An interactive communication system isprovided which permits individuals to electronically select at least onepossible outcome of a plurality of outcomes of a future event.Successful contestants possibly share in a prize aware associated withthe event. A home audience of a televised game show may electronicallycommunicate a series of random numbers using their touch tone telephoneto participate in the show.

[0008] Recently, various governmental entities and trade organizationhave addressed the issue of game play over the internet. CongressmanKyle has introduced a bill which would preclude the offering of internetbased gaming, though permitting states to offer internet gambling.Consideration has been given to requiring that the states sponsoredgaming be limited to an intranet, in an effort to limit thoseparticipating to persons physically resident within the statesboundaries. Various international lottery organizations have promotedsimilar restrictions, namely, precluding the individuals offering ofgames of chance, and reserving that option exclusively to the state.

[0009] Various lottery formats are known to the art. In one classicformat, a pre-determined number of tickets are provided with certainprinted matter, such as numbers or other indicia, where the informationis then obscured by a scratch off layer. By removing the layer andrevealing the underlying information, the ticket holder may determinewhether they have won or not. Various extensions have been made to a“virtual” scratch off ticket where no physical is provided.

[0010] A conventional lottery proceeds as follows. First, a series ofnumbers are selected, either by the player or by some automatedselection system, such as by computer. Upon the occurrence of apre-determined event, such as on a set date and time, numbers arerandomly chosen. Both mechanical methods, such as selection of ping-pongballs bearing numeric designations, or electronic means such as througha random number generator, may be utilized. The selected numbers arethen provided to the participants, such as through a broadcast mediumlike newspapers, radio and television. Finally, the holder or holders ofwinning the tickets then present their ticket for payment.

[0011] In yet another aspect of game play, a typical televisionpresented game show lasts on the order of one half hour. Various shorterformat games or shows have been utilized, for example, a football basedadvertisement or game has been presented by IBM during televisedfootball games under the name “you make the call”. Yet other shorterversion games have been presented over web TV or on the game shownetwork.

[0012] Despite the wide spread participation in various forms of gameplay, as well as the suggestions for implementing those games on a masscommunication network, such as through the telephone or internet, thepossibility for new games, or improved game play exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Various interactive game show formats and methods for game playare provided. In one embodiment, a second or ancillary game is played inparallel with a first or primary game. By way of example, in associationwith a first game comprising a lottery number ball draw, a second gamemay involve a selected player's guessing whether the next ball draw willbe of a higher or lower number, or odd or even or the like.

[0014] Various aspects of enhanced game play and novel game aredisclosed. In a first aspect, the game play method and system providesfor the playing or running of a parallel game or ancillary game alongwith a first or primary game. For example, during the real time balldraw for a lottery, the improved game play would involve running aparallel or ancillary game along with the ball draw. One implementationwould involve a first ball draw, followed then by game play by acontestant such as predicting whether the next ball drawn would be of ahigher or lower number, or would be odd or even.

[0015] In one implementation, the master of ceremonies would advise theplayer which of these options had a better probability of being theoutcome, thereby making the ancillary game more a game of chance asopposed to a game of skill. Optionally, scoring may be done, such aswhere one player or audience participant is scored or ranked relative toanother player or participant.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the game play includes the use ofcontestant game play to determine lottery numbers. For example, acontestant may be blind folded or otherwise be made unable to seevarious options. The person then selects from among the various optionsas the means by which the random lottery numbers are drawn. One examplecould comprise a blind folded contestant selecting objects.

[0017] In yet another aspect, this invention relates to an interstitialgame show. Main or regular programming, such as is broadcast on a givenevening during prime time on a broadcast network would additionallyinclude multiple interspersed, typically short, segments relating togame play. In the preferred embodiment, the game play would be for arelatively short period of time, for example, 1 to 2 minutes. Forexample, at 8:00 an initial round may be played prior to the beginningof prime time programming. Normal programming would then resume throughthe remainder of the 8:00 hour. At 9:00, a second short segment may beplayed. The play may continue at later times, such as to culminate at ashow at 11:00. Preferably, the short segments would not necessarily beshown at a predetermined or predeterminable time as far as the audiencewas concerned. In that way, viewers who wish to see the progression ofthe game segments would need to continue viewing that channel, or atleast, return to the channel fairly frequently. Optionally, the gameplay my be progressive from one interstitial game segment to another.Players may be presented with the option of stopping play or continuing.

[0018] In yet another game format, the show would include a displayhaving an underlying image, with that image being at least partiallyobscured by overlying image regions which differ from the underlyingimage region. A contestant would be given a time limit in which theywould be presented with information relating to a suggestion or a cluerelating to an overlying image region, which if the player respondedcorrectly, would be removed so as to reveal that portion of theunderlying image which was below the overlying image. The suggestion orclues may be related to the underlying image or may merely be unrelatedsuggestions or clues with respect to that particular overlying imageregion.

[0019] Yet another embodiment of game play provides for the repurposingof an existing taped game show. The previously recorded game show wouldbe segmented into subsets of issues, for example, presentation ofquestions or answers (as in the case of jeopardy), those issues would bepresented to one or more players, a response would be received fromthose players, and the answer would be compared to the correct answer.Scoring would then rank players relative to one another or to indicatethe amount of the prize. In yet another game play implementation, one ormore contestants would be presented with multiple images upon whichpredetermined data had been assembled. For example, images of fiveactresses may be presented to the player and the associated data wouldcomprise opinion polling information as to whom the audience thought wasthe most attractive. The players would then play against each other toeliminate the images which they believe do not correspond to the mostpopular or number one response. The players would alternate until oneplayer remained. In a second round, individual play, as opposed to playbetween contestants is utilized. Again, the player attempts to eliminatethose answers which were other than the most popular answer of theaudience.

[0020] In yet another aspect of enhanced game play, audienceparticipation via an interactive video display, such as a computerconnected over the Internet, or via an interactive televisionarrangement, may participate in the program.

[0021] Accordingly, it is an object of this series of inventions toprovide for novel game play.

[0022] It is yet a further object of this invention to provide forenhanced modes of game play in association with existing forms of gameplay.

[0023] It is yet a further object of this invention to provide for therepurposing or repackaging of previously recorded game shows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 shows the screen associated with an image presentation gamein which obscuring portions are removed in response to correct answers.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a drawing of an image with a word scramble.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a depiction of a game show set for use with one versionof the games disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a screen image from a game show having a display withan underlying image. The title of the game, e.g., “60 $econdMillionaire” optionally involves a time limit and a time display. Asshown, the time displayed is 45 seconds. An underlying image is obscuredby one or more overlying images. As shown in FIG. 1, a 5×5 array ofoverlying obscuring images obscures the underlying images. As shown,there are three pairs of initials, AT in the upper left hand corner ofthe array, CT in the first row, third column and HT in the second row,third column. As the caller is presented with questions, they may answerand, if their answer is correct, the overlying obscuring piececorresponding to that answer or question is then removed, therebyreviewing the underlying image in the region where the overlyingobscuring portion had previously been presented.

[0028] Various interactive game show formats and methods for game playare provided. In one embodiment, a second or ancillary game is played inparallel with a first or primary game. By way of example, in associationwith a first game comprising a lottery number ball draw, a second gamemay involve a selected player's guessing whether the next ball draw willbe of a higher or lower number, or odd or even or the like.

[0029] Various aspects of enhanced game play and novel game aredisclosed. In a first aspect, the game play method and system providesfor the playing or running of a parallel game or ancillary game alongwith a first or primary game. For example, during the real time balldraw for a lottery, the improved game play would involve running aparallel or ancillary game along with the ball draw. One implementationwould involve a first ball draw, followed then by game play by acontestant such as predicting whether the next ball drawn would be of ahigher or lower number, or would be odd or even.

[0030] In one implementation, the master of ceremonies would advise theplayer which of these options had a better probability of being theoutcome, thereby making the ancillary game more a game of chance asopposed to a game of skill. Optionally, scoring may be done, such aswhere one player or audience participant is scored or ranked relative toanother player or participant.

[0031] In yet another aspect, the game play includes the use ofcontestant game play to determine lottery numbers. For example, acontestant may be blind folded or otherwise be made unable to seevarious options. The person then selects from among the various optionsas the means by which the random lottery numbers are drawn. One examplecould comprise a blind folded contestant selecting objects.

[0032] In yet another aspect, this invention relates to an interstitialgame show. Main or regular programming, such as is broadcast on a givenevening during prime time on a broadcast network would additionallyinclude multiple interspersed, typically short, segments relating togame play. In the preferred embodiment, the game play would be for arelatively short period of time, for example, 1 to 2 minutes. Forexample, at 8:00 an initial round may be played prior to the beginningof prime time programming. Normal programming would then resume throughthe remainder of the 8:00 hour. At 9:00, a second short segment may beplayed. The play may continue at later times, such as to culminate at ashow at 11:00. Preferably, the short segments would not necessarily beshown at a predetermined or predeterminable time as far as the audiencewas concerned. In that way, viewers who wish to see the progression ofthe game segments would need to continue viewing that channel, or atleast, return to the channel fairly frequently. Optionally, the gameplay my be progressive from one interstitial game segment to another.Players may be presented with the option of stopping play or continuing.

[0033] In yet another game format, the show would include a displayhaving an underlying image, with that image being at least partiallyobscured by overlying image regions which differ from the underlyingimage region. A contestant would be given a time limit in which theywould be presented with information relating to a suggestion or a cluerelating to an overlying image region, which if the player respondedcorrectly, would be removed so as to reveal that portion of theunderlying image which was below the overlying image. The suggestion orclues may be related to the underlying image or may merely be unrelatedsuggestions or clues with respect to that particular overlying imageregion.

[0034] Yet another embodiment of game play provides for the repurposingof an existing taped game show. The previously recorded game show wouldbe segmented into subsets of issues, for example, presentation ofquestions or answers (as in the case of jeopardy), those issues would bepresented to one or more players, a response would be received fromthose players, and the answer would be compared to the correct answer.Scoring would then rank players relative to one another or to indicatethe amount of the prize. In yet another game play implementation, one ormore contestants would be presented with multiple images upon whichpredetermined data had been assembled. For example, images of fiveactresses may be presented to the player and the associated data wouldcomprise opinion polling information as to whom the audience thought wasthe most attractive. The players would then play against each other toeliminate the images which they believe do not correspond to the mostpopular or number one response. The players would alternate until oneplayer remained. In a second round, individual play, as opposed to playbetween contestants is utilized. Again, the player attempts to eliminatethose answers which were other than the most popular answer of theaudience.

[0035] In yet another aspect of enhanced game play, audienceparticipation via an interactive video display, such as a computerconnected over the Internet, or via an interactive televisionarrangement, may participate in the program.

[0036] The following comprises a detailed description of oneimplementation of a weekly game show utilizing various inventive aspectsdescribed herein. FIG. 3 shows a depiction of a possible set for thegame show. Generally, two contestants and a Master of Ceremonies (MC)are placed at podiums. Large displays are provided on the set such thatthe in-studio audience may view the images. Optionally, the players maybe additionally provided with monitors or other displays to aid in theirviewing of the images. A display may be provided, such as to show theamount of money then available to be won, or to display other data, suchas the number of participants still remaining. Such would be usefulwhere there is significant audience participation, or participation byothers via the internet or other computer based network.

[0037] Each week the show starts out with the introduction of the twocontestants that will compete against each other and eventually have achance to win, perhaps, the largest game show jackpot in televisionhistory.

[0038] We have thousands of telephone players that are also competingfrom home for their share of the money. These players have all calledour telephone number during the week, and qualified to play on theprogram. On stage is a readout that shows the prize money building up,even during the broadcast. The phone players that remain in the gameuntil the end of the show are patched in “live-on-tape” and have a shotat the money. For this example, let's assume that 25,000 people havequalified to participate in this week's show and the jackpot is up to$1.6 million.

[0039] Round One

[0040] The object of the studio game is to be the first player to reach$25,000 dollars. That player will go on to the end game for a chance towin thousands more, and perhaps hit the big jackpot! The first roundstarts with the in-studio players being asked an opinion question with 5possible answers. Each of the 5 answers is displayed on a large videowall in a semi-circle onstage which creates the backdrop of our set. Thefirst question is worth $1,000 dollars to the winner. For example:

[0041] Out of the following actresses, who is the sexiest?

[0042] Sandra Bullock, Elizabeth Hurley, Catherine Zeta Jones, JuliaRoberts, Nicole Kidman.

[0043] The phone players vote for their favorite answer. The in-studioplayers take turns trying to eliminate the answers that they think arenot the number 1 answer. The game is quite simply a kind of reverse“Family Feud.” If a player mistakenly picks the number 1 answer, theopposing player will receive the $1,000 dollars. Additionally, if aplayer can successfully pick the last answer, leaving the number oneanswer, that player will receive the $1,000 dollars. The phone playerswho selected the number 1 answer are still in the game, and the othersare eliminated. The studio players are shown another question worth$2,000 dollars and play continues in the same manner as before. Sixquestions in total are asked in the first round with the value going upby $1,000 dollars each time. The phone players are gradually whittleddown to a few thousand by the end of the six questions.

[0044] Round Two—The Qualifying Round

[0045] This time the questions are played individually by a playerinstead of alternating between players. The player that is behind goesfirst. As before, a player must eliminate everything but the number 1answer. For the first question, we stake a bank with $1,000 dollars.Every successful elimination will add $1,000 dollars to the bank. If theplayer eliminates every answer but the number 1 answer, they receive themoney that has been built up in the bank. At any point the playermistakenly picks the number 1 answer, his/her opponent will get themoney in the bank. The 2^(nd) question starts with a $2,000 dollar stakein the bank and each successful elimination adds $2,000 to the bank. The3^(rd) question starts with 3000 and so on and so forth. The player thatcrosses the $25,000 dollar goal first will win the competition. Thelosing player gets parting gifts and does not keep the money accumulatedduring the game. Like the previous round, phone players who have pickedthe number 1 answer in this round will advance to the next round.

[0046] Speed Round

[0047] The speed round is played by the winning player. The player triesto answer as many questions as they can in sixty seconds. The questionsalways have two possible answers. For example:

[0048] Who was a better President?

[0049] Clinton or Reagan. . .

[0050] Have you eaten pizza in the last week?

[0051] Yes or no. . .

[0052] Have you ever milked a cow?

[0053] Yes or no. . .

[0054] As before, the phone players that give the majority answer willstay in the game. The first successful answer is worth $10,000 dollarsto the in-studio player. If he/she gets the next question right, it isworth an additional $20,000 dollars, the next an additional $30,000 andso on. If the player guesses incorrectly, the total amount of money thatthey have accumulated up to that point is cut in half, and the nextquestion starts back at the $10,000 dollar base amount. The player mustthen try to build back up his/her money. Let's assume, for example sakethat at the end of the sixty seconds, the player has built up $120,000dollars. We will also assume that there are 5 phone players left in thegame.

[0055] The Final Challenge

[0056] At this point, the player is faced with a decision. He/she isshown a final question. For example:

[0057] Who would you rather have dinner with?

[0058] Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Howard Stem, Robin Williams or StevenSpielberg?

[0059] The question was posed to a previously selected group in order toget the results.

[0060] The player can either stop and keep the money, or try for thejackpot. All the player must do is simply pick the number 1 answer.

[0061] If the player stops, he/she keeps 50% of the money that they haveaccumulated so far and we will split the remaining 50% amongst the phoneplayers. We will speak to some of the players on the phone to find outwhether they think the player should go for it or not. If the playerdecides to play for the jackpot, the phone players must also decide ifthey want to go for it too. Any phone player that does not wish to playcan opt out of the game and keep their share of the money won thus far.

[0062] After the player decides what answer he/she believes is thenumber 1 answer, the host starts dramatically revealing the otheranswers one at a time until we get down to a 50-50 shot of winning. Thenwe see the players answer.

[0063] If the player wins, he/she will win 50% of the jackpot and theremaining phone players will win 50%. If the player loses, he/she willlose everything along with the phone players that participated and theywill all receive parting gifts. The jackpot will then roll over to nextweek's show. When the jackpot is not hit for several weeks, theexcitement level for the viewers and players will be incredible!

[0064] Although the foregoing invention has been described in somedetail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changesand modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spiritor scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for providing a game show for presentationto an audience over a communication medium, the game show including atleast a first game and a second show, the show to be performed inparallel with each other, the first game having a repetitive series ofactions comprising: performing a first action of the first game,performing a portion of the second game, performing a second action ofthe first game, performing a second portion of the second game,repeating the sequence until the first game and second game areconcluded, and assigning a winner to said games.
 2. The method of claim1 wherein the first game comprises a sequential selection of numbers fora lottery.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the selection of numbers ismechanical.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the mechanical selectionutilizes balls.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the balls are ping-pongballs.
 6. The method of claim 2 wherein the selection of numbers iselectrical.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the electrical selectionincludes a random number generator.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein thesecond game comprises a game of chance.
 9. The method of claim 8 whereinthe game of chance involves a determination regarding the next action inthe first game.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the determinationregarding the next game includes a determination of whether a numberwill be odd or even.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the determinationregarding the next game includes a determination of whether a numberwill be higher or lower.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein thedetermination regarding the next game includes a determination ofwhether a number will be compared to the number from an earlier actionin the first game.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the second gameinvolves multiple players.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein theplayers are ranked according to a score.
 15. The method of claim 1further including the step of advising a contestant of the probabilityof outcome of an upcoming portion of the second game.
 16. A method forselecting random numbers for use in a game, comprising the steps of:selecting a player for the game, providing a plurality of obscurednumbers, placing the player in a position such that they cannot see theobscured numbers, the player selecting the numbers, and rendering thenumbers visible to the player.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein thenumbers comprise 1 through
 49. 18. The method of claim 16 wherein thenumbers comprise 1 through
 53. 19. A method for programming a broadcastcomprising: presenting a first series of main programming, andinterspersing a second program within the main programming, the secondprogramming having a duration relative to the main programming of lessthan substantially 25% of the time.
 20. The method of claim 19 whereinthe interspersed second program is less than three continuous minutes inlength.
 21. The method of claim 19 wherein the interspersed secondprogram is less than two continuous minutes in length.
 22. The method ofclaim 19 wherein the interspersed second program is less than one and ahalf continuous minutes in length.
 23. The method of claim 19 whereinthe interspersed second program is less than one continuous minute inlength.
 24. The method of claim 19 wherein one contestant plays asuccessive interspersed second programs.
 25. The method of claim 24wherein the contestant is given the choice of stopping play, orcontinuing.
 26. The method for prepurposing a previous recorded gameshow, the game show including the presentation of issues to game showparticipants, comprising the steps of: segmenting the previouslyrecorded game show into issues, presenting the issue to one or moreplayer, receiving a response from the one or more players, comparing theanswers of the correct answer, and scoring the answer.
 27. A game showproviding a display having an underlying image, the image initiallybeing at least partially obscured by overlying image regions differentthan the underlying image, the overlying image regions includingdesignations, comprising the steps of: setting a time limit for gameplay an identifiable designation, presenting information to the playercomprising a suggestion or clue, receiving a response from the player inresponse to the suggestion or clue, if the response is correct, removingan overlying image region corresponding to the suggestion or clue, so asto display a portion of the underlying image to the player, anddeclaring a winner when the image is correctly identified by the player.